Time and Relative Dimensions in Faith

A new collection of essays on faith and interactions with Doctor Who will be released next week, Time and Relative Dimensions in Faith: Religion and Doctor Who, and is purported to be the “the first major study of religion and Doctor Who.”

“TARDIF explores the subject of religion and Doctor Who in its broadest possible context, examining portrayals of religion within the show, religious concepts which might be addressed through Doctor Who, and the use of the programme by religious believers. Chapters cover topics such as the religious coding of the Doctor, the relationship between time and theology on the show, whether Doctor Who fandom could ever be considered a legal religion and the show’s interaction with Buddhist concepts.”

The book is by Manchester lecturer, Andrew Crome, and Butler University professor, James McGrath. Both writers teach biblical and theological studies at their respective universities. The collection was put together in a way that is “an accessible but academically thorough style, aiming to appeal both to academic readers in the fields of religion, media studies and English, as well as to fans with an interest in religion or in analysing Doctor Who.”

As someone whose collegiate education is partly based in Theology, I’m very interested to see what parallels the authors strike between our societies’ religions and their influence on Doctor Who. The book is available for pre-order at Amazon for £14.99.

“That’s bacon! Are you trying to poison me?”
And from that line on, I’ve been unable to stop watching, reading, musing about the Doctor. As a recent transplant to the Whoniverse, I’ve been trying to soak up as much Who-related knowledge as possible. That journey has taken me from the Tenth Planet to the Fields of Trenzalore and gently set me at the edge of my seat for what’s next. It’s an honor to be here and I plan to bring a unique perspective. I hope you’ll enjoy the journey alongside me.